Crack Propagation in Quasicrystals

Abstract

Crack propagation is studied in a two dimensional decagonal model quasicrystal. The simulations reveal the dominating role of highly coordinated atomic environments as structure-intrinsic obstacles for both dislocation motion and crack propagation. For certain overloads, these obstacles and the quasiperiodic nature of the crystal result in a specific crack propagation mechanism: The crack tip emits a dislocation followed by a phason wall, along which the material opens up.